Twins Close To Agreement With No. 2 Pick Buxton

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Byron Buxton, the second overall choice in the MLB draft, took batting practice with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday and is close to wrapping up a contract.

General manager Terry Ryan says the Twins are in negotiations with Buxton’s agent and expected a deal “shortly.” The 18-year-old outfielder from Georgia took a physical on Tuesday and then took some swings in the batting cage with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

Buxton made a nice first impression, hitting one pitch into the bullpen in left-center field. He called the experience a dream come true and said he can’t wait to get started in the Twins’ system.

The pitching-poor Twins passed up several of the best prospects available to take Buxton, who is from Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga.